Valperga

Access

Valperga is easily reached by car from the city of Turin by taking the motorway and continuing on the local road network for about 40 kilometres. The municipality is served by rail links via the Canavesana railway line, with a station a few kilometres from the centre. The presence of car parks allows accessibility even during peak tourist periods, while public road transport links the town to the main localities in the area and to the centres of Rivarolo Canavese and Cuorgnè.

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Introduction

Valperga is a municipality located in the heart of Canavese, in the Metropolitan City of Turin. Set in a hilly territory of transition between the vast plain and the foothills of the Alps, Valperga offers visitors a varied, harmonious landscape rich in biodiversity, marked by agricultural cultivation and important historical evidence. The town lies at the foot of the hill of Belmonte, known for its sanctuary of the same name, a religious reference point and prominent panoramic viewpoint for the entire region.

 

Description

The millennial human presence in the Valperga territory is attested by archaeological finds dating back to Roman times, but it was in the Middle Ages that the municipality took on a distinctive role thanks to the Valperga family, who marked its fortunes from the 11th century onwards. The ancient castle, which is now partially visible, formed the original core of the village and still preserves suggestions linked to the local nobility. Over the centuries, the village was the scene of numerous historical events, and still retains visible traces of 15th-century architecture, valuable frescoes and the parish church of the Holy Trinity, built in 1749 and embellished with notable works of art.
Valperga is also notable for the Sanctuary of Belmonte, located at an altitude of 727 metres. According to tradition, the construction originated in 1016 following a Marian apparition to Arduino d'Ivrea, King of Italy; it is included in the list of Piedmont's Sacred Mountains and boasts ornate interiors of great historical and artistic interest. The nature reserve that surrounds Belmonte offers hiking trails of varying difficulty, including the 'Strada pedonale dei Piloni' (Piloni footpath), ideal for admiring wide panoramic views over the Canavese and Turin plains. The surrounding area is frequented by walkers, cyclists and nature enthusiasts; numerous signposted trails allow excursions through woods, valleys and points of environmental interest.
The local economy is mainly based on agriculture, with crops typical of the Piedmont plain, and on craft activities linked to the area's traditions. The productive fabric is enriched by medium-sized industrial enterprises and, especially in recent years, by slow tourism that is attentive to the enhancement of the landscape, history and religion.
Valperga's cultural traditions include religious festivals, such as the Holy Trinity Day and celebrations at the Belmonte Sanctuary. The local cuisine offers typical Canavese dishes, accompanied by local agricultural products. Village festivals keep alive the link between community and territory, fostering knowledge of gestures and customs handed down over the centuries.

Information

Area: 11.91 km²
Altitude: 385m
Maximum elevation: 727m - Sanctuary of Belmonte
Number of inhabitants: 3180
Name in dialect: Valperga
Name in dialect: Valperghesi
Patron Saint: Santissima Trinità
Bordering Communes: Castellamonte, Cuorgnè, Pertusio, Prascorsano, Salassa, San Ponso
Website: www.comune.valperga.to.it